Armenian Reporter:

Congressmen urge State Dept. to support Armenia

Published: Monday December 19, 2011

Reps. Schiff (L.) and Pallone. Armenian Reporter

The meeting represented a continuing dialogue between the caucus and the Department of State on the importance of the U.S.-Armenia relationship. In the meeting the members emphasized the importance of the Armenian Diaspora in the United States and the need to continue supporting the state of Armenia as a strong ally.

As part of the relationship the members raised the importance of robust foreign aid funding to be directed to Armenia and the need for parity in military aid between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the President's annual budget request.

The members also expressed concern over aggressive posturing by Azerbaijan and the importance of U.S. support of Nagorno Karabakh. The members called for policies that will show U.S. support of Nagorno Karabakh such as increased development and humanitarian assistance and their inclusion in the Minsk Group peace process. A continuing concern of the caucus, which was expressed, is a lack of funding directed to Nagorno Karabakh despite congressional approval of a higher level.

"The state of Armenia is a critical ally to the United States and the administration's policies should reflect the importance of this relationship," said Pallone. "While the Armenian Issues Caucus will continue to fight for higher levels of foreign assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, for official recognition of the Armenian Genocide and other issues important to the Armenian community, the State Department must know that strong action is needed on their behalf as well.

The members called on the administration to take strong action to show support for Armenia and to challenge Turkey and Azerbaijan in their hostile policies towards Armenia.

"It is more important than ever that the United States support the right of self-determination of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh," Rep. Schiff said. "Directing these resources to Nagorno-Karabakh will not only help the people of the Karabakh cope with humanitarian crises resulting from the twin blockade by Turkey and Azerbaijan, but it will also help to stabilize the region by demonstrating our continued commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. I will continue to fight for adequate resources for NKR, as well as formal recognition of the Armenian Genocide."

UPDATE: The Senate and House finalized the Fiscal Year 2012 U.S. foreign assistance package during the weekend of December 17-18, approving $40 million in U.S. assistance to Armenia, maintaining current funding levels for Nagorno Karabakh, and calling for military assistance parity for Armenia and Azerbaijan, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

"Armenian Americans want to thank all our friends among the memberships of the appropriating committees on both the House and Senate sides for enforcing military aid parity and for holding the line on aid to Armenia and Artsakh in the face of across the board cuts in America's foreign aid spending," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA.

"We will, in the coming months, work to materially help families in the homeland, through increased aid to Armenia and a clear mandate for an expanded developmental aid program for Karabakh in the FY13 foreign aid bill, as well as, the granting of a second Millennium Challenge package to Armenia, and the negotiation of bilateral U.S.-Armenia economic accords to expand trade and foster job-creation."

In terms of U.S. aid to the Caucasus, Congress approved President Obama's proposed economic assistance levels, including $40 million for Armenia, $16.6 million for Azerbaijan, and $66 million for Georgia.

In a report accompanying the foreign aid bill, Senate and House conferees made specific mention that there should be parity in both Foreign Military Finance (FMF) and International Military Education and Training (IMET) levels to Armenia and Azerbaijan.

While President Obama had requested $3 million in FMF funding for each country, the IMET funds he had proposed for Azerbaijan ($900,000) were twice that for Armenia.

Congress also agreed to provide assistance for Nagorno Karabakh "at levels consistent with prior years, and for ongoing needs related to the conflict," while urging a "peaceful resolution of the conflict."

U.S. assistance spending levels to Karabakh have been approximately $2 million a year, despite higher Congressional recommendations.

ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian had outlined key community foreign aid priorities in testimony submitted to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations earlier this year. The full text of her testimony is available at: http://www.anca.org/assets/pdf/testimony/2011.pdf

The foreign assistance package was part of an "omnibus" bill which set funding levels for nine critical areas including Defense, Energy and Water, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Interior/Environment,
Labor/Health and Human Services/Education, the Legislative Branch, Military Construction/Veterans Affairs, and State/Foreign Operations.

Congress will begin consideration of the FY13 foreign aid levels as early as March of 2012.

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Rhode Island State House. Wikimedia

Rhode Island House supports NKR recognition

On May 17, RI state representatives passed a resolution calling on the U.S. Government to formally recognize the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, the NKR Office in the United States reported.